From making chocolates to building gaming computers, WHS entrepreneurs have created a wide range of businesses that serve different consumer needs. The businesses range from crafting homemade goods to refurbishing used electronics. These student entrepreneurs offer a more personal buyer-to-seller experience and often sell unique products that can’t be found elsewhere.
Freshman Avril Ocampo has a business called Three Sisters Food and Co. through which she sells both baked goods and sewn work along with her two sisters. The inspiration for her business came from her family’s love of good food and a desire to share delicious treats with others who might feel the same.
“My mom makes sure that we always have dinner together at night, and she is always making things from scratch like baking,” Ocampo said. “We’ve learned a lot from her.”
Sometimes, the creation of businesses stems from a close look at customers’ needs and what may be lacking in already existing corporate businesses. Junior Colin Duggan runs a business in which he buys individual parts of gaming computers before assembling them into standard or custom-built requests. Through his ownership of Semicolon Computers, he recognized this kind of need for affordable gaming computers.
“I noticed that there were no gaming computers with good performance available for under $600,” Duggan said. “So I tested the market and found there was great demand for good gaming PCs in the price range of $300-$600.”
The process of sourcing, making, and selling the product for these student-run businesses takes hard work and dedication. Sophomore Tylanni Nawana figured this out as she built her chocolate business, T2 Bon Bons. She handmakes a variety of different chocolates from truffles to bark.
“I get chocolate pellets from Belgium shipped here. From there, I do my process of tempering, casting, molding, setting, and packaging,” Nawana said.
Beyond the challenge of identifying an idea, running the business also comes with some struggles that owners have to address and overcome. Senior Bryson McDade recently started a business selling refurbished phones and other consumer electronics but has had trouble with balancing the business and other parts of his life.
“It’s just time that’s a challenge because I also work 30 hours a week and go to school, so sometimes it’s hard to find a moment to work on my business,” McDade said.
To find success in running their businesses, these students have had to find ways to market themselves and get the word out about the products they are selling.
“We get customers from fairs, and some people come just to buy a bag or a cookie from us,” Ocampo said. “Most of our customers we get through [Instagram] direct messages, as well as through word of mouth.”
While these small business owners have already achieved a lot, they also all have hopes and dreams for the future of their businesses.
“The next step is to buy a web domain, create a website, and establish the company legally as an LLC,” Duggan said. “Another step and a challenge for any business is hiring new people. I’m looking for people who are motivated and willing to learn.”
The lessons that can be learned from owning a small business, including business management skills, are plentiful.
“It’s taught me a lot, especially how to manage my money, how to delegate time and resources, and a lot of other cool skills,” Nawana said.
While money isn’t the only factor of interest for most of these student entrepreneurs, it gives them an opportunity to keep selling more of what they love, and buyers know exactly where their spending is going.
“Money from small businesses goes directly to the people instead of big corporations,” McDade said.
These small business owners focus on the product they offer as well as the experience for consumers. They offer good pricing, great quality, and excellent service. Every buyer is important to the owners, thus making the whole shopping experience worthwhile and enjoyable.
“Supporting businesses run by high school students or even local small businesses makes the community stronger,” Duggan said.